Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe WELLINGTON, New Zealand, July 15 (UPI) -- Staff at a New Zealand zoo said an emperor penguin famous for swimming to the country from Antarctica is recovering after eating sand on a beach. The Wellington Zoo said the penguin, dubbed Happy Feet after the 2006 film of the same name, became ill after eating sand at Peka Peka beach last month, The Dominion Post reported Thursday. Advertisement Kate Baker, a spokeswoman for the zoo, said Happy Feet has been recovering well since having his stomach pumped and is now on the road to recovery, having gained 5.7 pounds since his rescue. Baker said Happy Feet, the first penguin to make the swim from Antarctica to New Zealand in 44 years, is being kept in the dark to emulate the Antarctic winter days. The spokeswoman said experts are formulating a plan to return the penguin to Antarctica once his recovery is complete.
